I know I'm probably going to get a lot of crap for having such a hispter-sounding thread, so I apologize if this thread (or me, personally) comes across that way.

I'm curious to see what's the most overlooked, underrated, or unknown anime that you have seen. I wanna know how far you guys have ventured into the anime realm.

For me, it'd have to be The Girl from Phantasia. It was released back in 1994 back on VHS (it's never been released on DVD, I don't think) and even the local videostore, which has some pretty rare stuff, even makes the rent on it pretty expensive. I saw a video of it on Youtube, so I figured I'd watch it just to know what was going on.

The raresst amine i have watched would have to be this little inie series that aired a few years ago, then ended at a point that left off the last arc in the manga wierdly. Right now it has 366 episodes. (BLEACH).

Ah, I love Romeo no Aoi Sora! I thought of the Sekai Meisakuhin works when I saw this thread too. My friend's grandmother used to tape them and send them to her, so I've watched a fair few, like Ienaki Ko Remi and Nanatsu no Umi no Tico. I don't know if 'rare' is really the right word, you'd be able to get most of them in any video rental store in Japan (or probably China and Korea too for that matter), but they're pretty hard to get your hands on in the west.

Manami and Nami: Sprite. It was an OVA from Central Park Media that I bought on a whim at FYE. I don't even know how they let me buy it, since it was marked as "Adults Only" and I was 16 at the time, but it really only had one R-rated sex scene. It's kinda weird, but I liked it. When I had to buy a new copy a couple of years ago, I had a really hard time just finding it.

SUCH an amazing series with a fantastic setting in a fantasy world, a multi-layered plot, SERIOUS character development, great music, a deeply interesting political setting, and all based on a series of incredibly written novels (available in English!). DON'T let the main girl character annoy you - at first, she starts off as annoying and weak but in a couple episodes becomes a seriously kick-ass, strong and brave person, and eventually the leader/Emperor of a whole country.

This show also does not focus on just one person, but a lot of different people, and in a lot of different perspectives, showing many points of view, from Emperors to peasants; human to creature; rich to poor...etc. It's a really well rounded series.

I recommend this show to anyone!!!

X (Or, X/1999)

This anime is based off Clamp's epic (but STILL unfinished) manga X; basically a story about a two groups of people fighting for and against the Apocalypse, and how one guy must make the decision to either end the world or save it. (Depending on your view, the anime has a tragic or bittersweet ending). The manga is fantastic - starts off slow, but then picks up into this extremely violent, deep, tragic masterpiece with awesome artwork and a cast of really intriguing characters. The manga is a million times better than the anime, but if you don't want to read it...However: the manga DOES contain shonen-ai - no kissing or anything (Clamp doesn't DO kissing) but it's still entwined in the plot nonetheless. And I suggest reading Tokyo Babylon BEFORE reading X - three characters in X originally appear in that series, and their backstory is revealed. Like X, Tokyo Babylon is also a dark story (especially the horrific ending!) and is shonen-ai.

The anime for this show was alright in my opinion. It had great art/animation, beautiful music for some good points. But the adaptation cut out/decreased important scenes and plot points in the manga, and it did drag a bit in some places. Since the manga is NOT finished, the anime drew it's own conclusion. I would still recommend the anime adaptation, for people who like tragic stories and a character driven series with lots of dialogue. X was also made into a movie which I would NEVER recommend. It has gorgeous art, gorgeous music - but NO plot; it's just a kill fest.

Now and Then, Here and There

An absolute CLASSIC of anime that is not well known outside of Japan sadly. An anime about the terrible emotional and psychological cost of war and how it affects children. It also talks about things like rape, child-soldiers, torture, war-crimes...etc. It's a really deep show and it's not for everyone.

The plot is basically this: In order to save a young girl, the main character is transported from modern Japan into a world torn by war in every possible way, and suffering from a severe lack of water.

This is a series for anyone wanting a deep, thought-provoking, tragic and gripping show. It's only 13 episodes, but has a truly sad ending.